US11536312B2 - Sealing bellows and sealing arrangement comprising the sealing bellows - Google Patents

Sealing bellows and sealing arrangement comprising the sealing bellows Download PDF

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Publication number
US11536312B2
US11536312B2 US16/569,708 US201916569708A US11536312B2 US 11536312 B2 US11536312 B2 US 11536312B2 US 201916569708 A US201916569708 A US 201916569708A US 11536312 B2 US11536312 B2 US 11536312B2
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Prior art keywords
sealing bellows
casing
sealing
face
another
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US16/569,708
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US20200088231A1 (en
Inventor
Rainer Knorr
Tatsuro Hosen
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Carl Freudenberg KG
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Carl Freudenberg KG
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Assigned to CARL FREUDENBERG KG reassignment CARL FREUDENBERG KG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HOSEN, TATSURO, KNORR, RAINER
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • F16C11/0666—Sealing means between the socket and the inner member shaft
    • F16C11/0671—Sealing means between the socket and the inner member shaft allowing operative relative movement of joint parts due to flexing of the sealing means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2208/00—Plastics; Synthetic resins, e.g. rubbers
    • F16C2208/20—Thermoplastic resins

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sealing bellows made of a rubber-elastic material, comprising a first and a second end face and a casing having a central axis, wherein the casing is arranged in the axial direction between the end faces and comprises at least one torsion-compensating element for absorbing torsional movements introduced into the sealing bellows, doing so in a manner substantially free of torsional stress, and wherein the first end face is designed as a first static seal and the second end face is designed as a second static seal.
  • the invention further relates to a sealing arrangement comprising such a sealing bellows.
  • the previously known sealing bellows is provided in order to be able to execute relatively large torsional movements directed in opposite directions and/or relative axial movements and/or angular movements—in each case between the end faces of the sealing bellows—without being damaged or destroyed.
  • the torsion-compensating element of the previously known sealing bellows comprises first folds which in a plan view of the sealing bellows extend at an angle to the central axis, substantially diagonally between the end faces of the sealing bellows.
  • Axial movements of the end faces of the sealing bellows relative to one another are absorbed by second folds which are designed to be self-contained in the circumferential direction, in a similar fashion to a conventional bellows.
  • Sealing bellows made of elastomeric materials seal dynamically with respect to a ball pivot.
  • the present invention provides a sealing bellows made of an elastomeric material, comprising: a first end face; a second end face; and a casing having a central axis, the casing being arranged in an axial direction between the first and second end faces, the casing including at least one torsion-compensating element configured to absorb torsional movements introduced into the sealing bellows substantially without torsional stress, wherein the first end face comprises a first static seal and the second end face comprises a second static seal, and wherein the sealing bellows comprises a TPE material.
  • FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sealing arrangement according to the invention comprising the sealing bellows according to the invention
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show the sealing bellows from FIG. 1 in each case in a perspective view.
  • the present invention provides a sealing bellows of the type mentioned at the outset of such a kind as to have improved service properties over a long service life and to be producible reliably, quickly, simply and cost-effectively. The same should apply to the sealing arrangement.
  • the sealing bellows consists of a TPE material.
  • Thermoplastic elastomers are materials which have rubber-elastic properties and are therefore in fact particularly suitable for the production of sealing bellows.
  • TPE materials can be processed in short cycle times and can be extruded, injection-molded, or blow-molded, for example.
  • TPE materials do not have the favorable and also required properties of elastomeric material to be able to seal dynamically using beads or sealing lips.
  • TPE materials have for this reason not been used in the production of sealing bellows.
  • TPE materials are nevertheless to be used for the production of sealing bellows, it will be necessary, with regard to good service properties over a long service life, for the two end faces to be designed as static seals. However, if the two end faces are designed as static seals, a torsion-compensating element will also need to be provided in order to be able to absorb the torsional stresses occurring in the torsion-compensating element during the intended use of the sealing bellows or at least to mitigate them to a non-critical level for a long service life.
  • the torsion-compensating element comprises an origami structure, having folding elements which are connected to one another in a relatively movable manner by bends, wherein the folding elements are movable relative to one another substantially without stress when torsional movements are introduced into the sealing bellows in the circumferential direction of the casing.
  • an origami structure is advantageous because it has compact dimensions and, despite its compact dimensions, can absorb large torsional angles of the two end faces of the sealing bellows relative to one another, doing so virtually without stress.
  • the origami structure may comprise three-dimensional basic shapes with the folding elements, wherein each basic shape is preferably takes the form of a concave hexagonal pyramid, the apex of which is disposed in the direction of the central axis of the sealing bellows, and wherein the basic shapes are arranged on an imaginary first radial plane of the casing and adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction.
  • concave hexagonal pyramids are particularly well-suited for absorbing torsional movements of the two end faces relative to one another.
  • an imaginary second radial plane of the casing is arranged axially adjacent to the imaginary first radial plane of the casing, in which further three-dimensional basic shapes are arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, wherein the basic shapes in the first and the second imaginary radial planes, seen in the circumferential direction, are each arranged offset from one another by half a basic shape. Due to the offset arrangement of the basic shapes by half a basic shape in the respective radial planes, the dimensions of the sealing bellows in the axial direction are minimized. Axially adjacent basic shapes from the two radial planes overlap each other in the axial direction.
  • the entire origami structure has very compact dimensions in the axial direction.
  • each basic shape is folded in accordance with a folding condition (A to B) ⁇ (B to C) ⁇ (B to D), wherein (A to B) is the axial width of the pyramid, (B to C) is half the extent of the pyramid on the circumference of the sealing bellows, and (B to D) is the depth of the pyramid in the direction of the central axis from the circumference of the sealing bellows to the apex of the pyramid, and that the casing has a folding range ⁇ , wherein ⁇ is a maximum torsional angle in the circumferential direction, on the basis of the production-related geometry of the sealing bellows in the undeformed state.
  • This folding condition describes the basic shape in the form of a concave hexagonal pyramid.
  • the folding range ⁇ is preferably ⁇ 40° to +40°. Such a folding range is sufficient for most application cases in the field of the steering/chassis of motor vehicles and can be achieved well with the above-described basic shapes arranged on the two imaginary radial planes.
  • the casing can have at least one fold which runs circumferentially and is of a self-contained design, wherein the torsion-compensating element and the fold are arranged directly adjacent to one another in the axial direction.
  • the sealing bellows it is advantageous for the sealing bellows to have a functional separation provided by such a development, with two functional regions arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction.
  • One of the functional regions has the origami structure and the other functional region has the at least one previously described fold which is self-contained in the circumferential direction.
  • the two functional regions are arranged in a parallel connection.
  • the functional region with the origami structure predominantly absorbs torsional movements substantially without torsional stress and the functional region with the fold predominantly absorbs angular movements and axial movements of the end faces of the sealing bellows relative to one another.
  • a torsion-compensating element can preferably be arranged on each of the end faces on both sides of the functional region with the at least one fold. Relatively large torsional movements can thereby be compensated for by a larger folding range.
  • the invention further relates to a sealing arrangement comprising a sealing bellows, as described above, and a first and a second machine element which are arranged so as to be pivotable relative to one another by means of a joint, wherein the first end face of the sealing bellows surrounds the first machine element with its static first seal in a statically sealing manner and the second end face of the sealing bellows surrounds the second machine element with its static second seal in a statically sealing manner.
  • the joint may be designed as a ball pivot joint comprising a joint seat and a ball pivot which is accommodated in the joint seat, wherein the first machine element is formed by the joint seat and the second machine element is formed by the ball pivot.
  • the ball pivot pivots in the joint and the resulting relative rotations are absorbed in the torsion-compensating element by its origami structure.
  • FIG. 1 shows a sealing arrangement comprising the sealing bellows according to the invention.
  • the sealing arrangement comprises a first machine element 25 which is designed as a joint seat 28 and a second machine element 26 which is formed by a ball pivot 29 arranged in the joint seat 28 .
  • the first machine element 25 and the second machine element 26 are pivotally and rotatably connected to each other by the joint 27 formed by a ball pivot joint.
  • the joint 27 , the joint seat 28 and the ball pivot 29 are enclosed on the outside by the sealing bellows and are therefore hidden in FIG. 1 by the sealing bellows.
  • the first end face 1 of the sealing bellows surrounds the first machine element 25 with its static first seal 8 in a statically sealing manner and the second end face 2 of the sealing bellows surrounds the second machine element 26 with its static second seal 9 in a statically sealing manner.
  • the sealing bellows prevents contaminants from entering the joint 27 between the two machine elements 25 , 26 and leading to functional impairments, in particular to a restricted mobility of the joint 27 . Leakage of grease from the joint 27 is also prevented.
  • the sealing bellows consists of a TPE material.
  • a TPE material is substantially rubber-elastic, but can nevertheless be processed reliably, quickly and simply in short cycle times, which is particularly advantageous in economic terms.
  • the sealing bellows comprises the two end faces 1 , 2 as well as the casing 3 which is arranged in the axial direction 5 between the end faces 1 , 2 .
  • the sealing bellows surrounds the central axis 4 .
  • the casing 3 is divided into two functional regions, wherein one of the functional regions has the torsion-compensating element 6 and the other functional region has the fold 24 which runs circumferentially and is of a self-contained design.
  • the torsion-compensating element 6 and the fold 24 are arranged directly adjacent to one another in the axial direction 5 .
  • the torsion-compensating element 6 is provided for the essentially torsional-stress-free absorption of torsional movements 7 introduced into the sealing bellows; the fold 24 being able to compensate for angular movements of the interconnected machine elements 25 , 26 or their axial mobility relative to one another.
  • the first end face 1 of the sealing bellows forms the first static seal 8 and the second end face 2 forms the second static seal 9 .
  • a relative movability between the end faces 1 , 2 and the machine elements 25 , 26 therefore does not take place.
  • the torsion-compensating element 6 has an origami structure 10 and comprises folding elements 11 which are connected to one another in a relatively movable manner by bends 12 . Due to the relative movability of the folding elements 11 and the bends 12 , torsional movements 7 introduced into the sealing bellows in the circumferential direction 13 of the casing 3 can be absorbed substantially without torsional stress.
  • the origami structure 10 comprises two imaginary radial planes 17 , 18 in each of which the three-dimensional basic shapes 14 are arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction 13 .
  • the basic shapes 14 are designed to correspond in both radial planes 17 , 18 .
  • the basic shapes 14 in the first radial plane 17 are offset from the basic shapes 14 in the second radial plane 18 —seen in the circumferential direction—in each case by half a basic shape 14 .
  • the origami structure 10 has particularly compact dimensions in the axial direction 5 and yet has a large folding range ⁇ , which in the exemplary embodiment shown is about ⁇ 40° to +40°.
  • the origami structure 10 is formed by a plurality of basic shapes 14 , wherein the basic shapes 14 are folded in accordance with the folding condition (A to B) ⁇ (B to C) ⁇ (B to D), wherein (A to B) is the axial width 19 of the pyramid 15 , (B to C) is half the extent 20 of the pyramid 15 along the circumference 21 of the sealing bellows, and (B to D) is the depth 22 of the pyramid 15 in the direction of the central axis 4 from the circumference 21 of the sealing bellows to the apex 16 of the pyramid 15 .
  • the casing 3 has a folding range ⁇ , wherein ⁇ is a maximum torsion angle 23 in the circumferential direction 13 , on the basis of the production-related geometry of the sealing bellows in the undeformed state.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 the sealing bellows from FIG. 1 is shown in each case as a single part and in a perspective view. It can be seen that the ratio of the axial length of the sealing bellows to its diameter is substantially 1. Despite the very compact dimensions in the axial direction 5 , the folding range ⁇ , as already explained above, is about ⁇ 40° to +40° and is thus considerably large.
  • the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise.
  • the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing Devices (AREA)
  • Diaphragms And Bellows (AREA)
US16/569,708 2018-09-14 2019-09-13 Sealing bellows and sealing arrangement comprising the sealing bellows Active 2041-08-20 US11536312B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102018122495.8 2018-09-14
DE102018122495.8A DE102018122495B4 (de) 2018-09-14 2018-09-14 Dichtungsbalg und Dichtungsanordnung, die den Dichtungsbalg umfasst

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US20200088231A1 US20200088231A1 (en) 2020-03-19
US11536312B2 true US11536312B2 (en) 2022-12-27

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EP (1) EP3623652B1 (de)
DE (1) DE102018122495B4 (de)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2023019138A (ja) * 2021-07-28 2023-02-09 本田技研工業株式会社 防塵カバー
NL2029186B1 (en) * 2021-09-15 2023-03-23 Univ Delft Tech Compliant closed cell universal joint
CN116006684A (zh) * 2022-12-05 2023-04-25 中国科学院高能物理研究所 可扭转波纹管
CN116498822B (zh) * 2023-03-24 2026-04-21 中国科学院高能物理研究所 波纹管

Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2304732A (en) 1941-05-01 1942-12-08 Columbus Auto Parts Sealing means for joint structures linking movable members
US2959966A (en) * 1959-06-24 1960-11-15 Gen Electric Joining member for providing a flexible connection between two relatively movable members
GB968053A (en) 1962-05-16 1964-08-26 Arnold Hennig Improvements in and relating to the construction of bellows
GB1022376A (en) 1963-08-24 1966-03-09 Daimler Benz Ag Improvements relating to sleeves for sealing off bearings
US3279832A (en) * 1964-03-20 1966-10-18 Ford Motor Co Seal for ball and socket joint
DE2436062A1 (de) 1974-07-26 1976-02-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Elastische abdeckung fuer relativbewegungen zueinander ausfuehrende bauteile
DE3600444A1 (de) 1985-01-10 1986-07-24 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Haruhi, Aichi Kunststoffschuh und verfahren zur herstellung desselben
US4676513A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-06-30 Tiegs Del V One-piece split boot for universal joint
DE4115446C1 (de) 1991-05-11 1992-02-20 Continental Aktiengesellschaft, 3000 Hannover, De
US5098344A (en) * 1989-12-07 1992-03-24 General Motors Corporation Convoluted boot seal with low friction and high wall strength
DE19830184A1 (de) 1997-07-08 1999-02-25 Klemm Gerhard Wilhelm Faltenbalg mit geraden Biegelinien
EP1233195A1 (de) 2001-02-13 2002-08-21 Trw Inc. Kugelgelenkdichtung
WO2002097186A2 (en) 2001-05-29 2002-12-05 Royal College Of Art Fabric material
US6796563B2 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-09-28 Honeywell International Inc. Hermetic seal for devices with limited rotation
DE102004034772A1 (de) 2004-01-02 2005-07-28 Gkn Driveline International Gmbh Rollbalg mit Aussteifungen
US7597628B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2009-10-06 Trelleborg Prodyn Multilobed socket for protection of vehicle transmission and transmission joint equipped with such a socket
WO2010054171A2 (en) 2008-11-07 2010-05-14 Trw Automotive U.S. Llc Sealing structure for use with a ball and socket joint
US9206923B2 (en) * 2013-03-14 2015-12-08 Fisher Controls International Llc Rotary shaft seals
US20180045310A1 (en) * 2015-06-05 2018-02-15 Neumayer Tekfor Engineering Gmbh Housing Cap for a Joint, and Assembly Composed of a Joint and a Shaft

Patent Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2304732A (en) 1941-05-01 1942-12-08 Columbus Auto Parts Sealing means for joint structures linking movable members
US2959966A (en) * 1959-06-24 1960-11-15 Gen Electric Joining member for providing a flexible connection between two relatively movable members
GB968053A (en) 1962-05-16 1964-08-26 Arnold Hennig Improvements in and relating to the construction of bellows
GB1022376A (en) 1963-08-24 1966-03-09 Daimler Benz Ag Improvements relating to sleeves for sealing off bearings
US3279832A (en) * 1964-03-20 1966-10-18 Ford Motor Co Seal for ball and socket joint
DE2436062A1 (de) 1974-07-26 1976-02-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Elastische abdeckung fuer relativbewegungen zueinander ausfuehrende bauteile
DE3600444A1 (de) 1985-01-10 1986-07-24 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Haruhi, Aichi Kunststoffschuh und verfahren zur herstellung desselben
US4852891A (en) 1985-01-10 1989-08-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Plastic boots and method of manufacturing the same
US4676513A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-06-30 Tiegs Del V One-piece split boot for universal joint
US5098344A (en) * 1989-12-07 1992-03-24 General Motors Corporation Convoluted boot seal with low friction and high wall strength
DE4115446C1 (de) 1991-05-11 1992-02-20 Continental Aktiengesellschaft, 3000 Hannover, De
DE19830184A1 (de) 1997-07-08 1999-02-25 Klemm Gerhard Wilhelm Faltenbalg mit geraden Biegelinien
EP1233195A1 (de) 2001-02-13 2002-08-21 Trw Inc. Kugelgelenkdichtung
WO2002097186A2 (en) 2001-05-29 2002-12-05 Royal College Of Art Fabric material
US6796563B2 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-09-28 Honeywell International Inc. Hermetic seal for devices with limited rotation
DE102004034772A1 (de) 2004-01-02 2005-07-28 Gkn Driveline International Gmbh Rollbalg mit Aussteifungen
US20050176512A1 (en) 2004-01-02 2005-08-11 Joachim Wette Reinforced rolling boot
US7354349B2 (en) * 2004-01-02 2008-04-08 Gkn Driveline International Gmbh Reinforced rolling boot
US7597628B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2009-10-06 Trelleborg Prodyn Multilobed socket for protection of vehicle transmission and transmission joint equipped with such a socket
WO2010054171A2 (en) 2008-11-07 2010-05-14 Trw Automotive U.S. Llc Sealing structure for use with a ball and socket joint
US9206923B2 (en) * 2013-03-14 2015-12-08 Fisher Controls International Llc Rotary shaft seals
US20180045310A1 (en) * 2015-06-05 2018-02-15 Neumayer Tekfor Engineering Gmbh Housing Cap for a Joint, and Assembly Composed of a Joint and a Shaft

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20200088231A1 (en) 2020-03-19
DE102018122495A1 (de) 2020-03-19
EP3623652A1 (de) 2020-03-18
DE102018122495B4 (de) 2022-02-03
EP3623652B1 (de) 2020-12-16

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